Table roll structure for paper machines



March 22,1938. EE. BERRY y 2,111,833

TABLE ROLL STRUCTURE FOR PAPER MACHINES y l Filled Dec. 2s, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 1 ENI im l

EIIHIIU fari i erry..

A Mmh 22,193s. n E, E, BERRY `2,111,833.

, TABLE ROLL STUKCTURE FOR' PAPER MACIINES v Filed Dec. '25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i [QJ v h l I March 22, 1938. E. E. BERRY 2,111,833

TABLE ROLL STRUCTURE FOR PAPER MCHINES Filed Dec. 23, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 an! c? effy.

- y @v/M@ @5- E. E. BERRY /v 2,111,833

PA/EER MACHINES Filed Dec. 25, 19155 4 sheetsfsneet 4 Mmh 22, 1938.

v TABLE ROLL vSTRU/C'I'URE FOR Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES VPATENT oFFlca Een n.` nen-y, Beloit, wie, asslgnor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 2s, mossel-lol No. 55,153

f L This invention relates to mechanism for rotatably supporting forming surfaces 'on dewatering machines such as paper machines. o xfMore specifically, this invention relates to small 5 diameter table rolls for paper machines adapted to rotate at high speeds and 4includes attendant mechanism for driving the table rolls.

This invention will be particularly described in connection with a paper machine of the Fourdrinier type, but it should be understoodfthat the invention is adapted for use ori other types of de- Awatering or paperl machines. l

-It has heretofore been customary to support the upper run of forming wires in Fourdrinier l5 paper-machines on a plurality of table rolls adapt,-

ed to rotate at the same speed that the forming wire is driven. With the advent oflong and wide forming Wires on Fourdrinier machines, it 'has been necessary to use `table rolls having a considerable diameter to obtain sufficient strength and rigidity for resisting a. bending or bellylng of the rolls. I'hese rolls have customarily been supportedonly at the ends thereof.

The use of increased diameter table rollshas rendered it necessary to spaceA the centers of these rolls at greater distances with the result that the forming wire must travel, unsupported,

over a considerable distance as it passes from-roll to roll. This is highly objectionable since the wire tends to loop down at these unsupported areas, thereby resulting in uneven paper formation and increased wear of the forming wire.

' I have now provided table rolls for paper maf chines that are adapted to span great widths without bending or bellying under the weight of the forming wire and -stocl thereover. Furthermore, according to this invention, I'amable -to use rolls having smaller diameters than, to the best of my knowledge, were ever used as table 40' rolls in commercial size paper machines.

According to this invention, I am able to use either solid or hollow table rolls having aidiameter of one, inch or less without danger. of bending or bowing, sincev the rolls are supported throughout the greater part of their length on" the underside thereof yby a bearing member whichV can be readily lubricated with'a fluid allowedtov flow upwardly from the bottom lof the bearing member around the table roll. 'I'he rolls of this invention are not journaled in a tight fixed bearing support, and when rotated at high speeds tend to seek their own tendency is overcome by the weight of the forming wire and paper stock thereover, thereby "pro- Se ducing, if desired, a vibrating-effect which aids dynamic center. This.

lil Claims. (CL 92-44) the ber formation of the paper. Of course,.any

vibrating effect can be prevented by holding the rolls in tighter bearing `supports or by a more accurate fabrication of the parts or both.

It is obvious that with the use of small diam; 5. eter rolls, the distance between the rolls and the unsupported areas of the forming wire are materially decreased so that the wire may have a practically continuous supporting surface. Since the rolls are of considerably less weight than has 10 been heretofore necessary, they can be rotated at much higher speeds, andI have found that speeds exceeding 11,000 R. P. M. are entirely commercially practical with the structure of this invention. 15 It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide belt or band supporting rollers of smaller diameter than heretofore used. I A further object of this invention is to provide supporting roller structure for forming wires of dewatering machines adapted toV be mounted in closer proximity than was heretofore possible. Another object of this invention is to provide a table roll for paper machines supported along the greater part of itslength. 25 Another object of this invention is to provideV4 table 'roll structure for paper machines and the like, adapted to be rotated with safety at greater speeds than heretofore possible.

A further object of this invention is to pro- 30 videa table roll structure for paper machines and the like in which each individual table roll.

is supported along the greater part of its length by a. supporting member and lubricated with a `fluid adapted to ilow betweenthe supporting^35 'member and table roll.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a table roll structure adapted to be conveniently mounted in units having a desired number of table rolls therein and driven at the same 40 speed as the speed of the fornling wire or at any other desired speed.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a tableroll structure for paper machines including table rolls of a size insufficient to support the 45 forming wires when journaled at their ends alone but being supported along the bottom portions thereof for the greater part of their length.

Other and further objectsA of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed 50 tional view of a Fourdrinier type of paper machine having table roll structures according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a broken top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1 but having the forming wire and head lbox removed for purposes of clarity.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed cross-sectional view, with parts in elevation, taken substantially along the line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the driving mechanism for the table rolls, with parts shown in cross-section, taken substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view. with parts in elevation, taken substantially along the line V--V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, illustrating the construction of a modified form of table roll and bearing support according to this invention.

Figure '7 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, illustrating another modied form of table roll and bearingA support structure according to this invention.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, illustrating still another modled form of tableroll and bearing support therefor according to this invention.

Figure 9 is another enlarged vertical crosssectional view of an alternative form of table roll and bearing support according to this invention.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reference numeral III indicates the forming wire of a Fourdrinier paper machine trained around a breast roll II and a couch roll I2, and adapted to receive paper stock Valong its upper run from a head box I3. As shown in Figure 2, the machine includes the usual side frame I4.

According to this invention, one or more units or batteries of table rolls, such as I 5 and I6, are mounted under the top run of the forming wire I0 along the run of the forming wire usually supported by tablerolls. Obviously, of course, the usual suction boxes can be disposed between the last battery of table rolls and the couch roll if desired. Since these suction boxes form no part of the invention, they have been omitted from the drawings.

According to one embodiment oi' the invention, the batteries of table rolls, such as vI5` and I6, canbe positively driven from gear boxes I1 and I8, respectively, mounted adjacent the side frame of the machine. Gears in the gear boxes I 1 and I8 are driven by electric motors I9 and 20, respectively.. If desired, these motors can be energlizlezd from a generator 2| coupled to the couch rol Since the speed of rotation oi.' the couch roll I2 determines the speed of travel of the forming wire I D and since the generator 2| is driven directly by the couch roll I2, the motors I9 and 2i) can be perfectly synchronized to drive their battery of table rolls I5 and I 6 to travel at the exact speed with the forming wire III. This synchronous motor drive, however, only represents one of a great many ways in which the table rolls of this invention can be positively driven to rotate and have a surface speed identical with or different from the speed of the forming wire. Obviously, the table rolls could be driven by means of a gear train, a chain or a belt dlrectly from either the couch or breast' rolls or any other section of the paper machine rotating with the speed of the traveling forming wire. Likewise, in some installations, the table rolls of this invention could be driven by the forming wire itself and would not be coupled with any mechanical driving means.

For convenience, a battery of Vten table rolls The table rolls I5 and I6 are coupled with driving members in the gear box by means of `exible connections 4such as rubber tubes 22 and 23 which, if desired, can be vulcanized to the ends of the table rolls and to the drive shafts from the gear boxes. v As shown in Figures 3 and 5, table rolls I5 are rotatably mounted in bearing shells 24 along substantially their entire length. The bearing shells 24 do not extend across the top of the table rolls so that the forming wire I0 can contact the table rolls. The bearing shells 24 are mounted on individual supporting bars 25 extending across the full width of the machine. The bars 25 are supported on a notched sleeve 26 carried by a tie bolt 21 secured at its ends in framemembers, such as 28, forming the end walls for each battery of table rolls. The sleeve 25 has transversely extending grooves 29 for receiving the bottoms of the supporting bars 25. 'If desired, `as shown in Figure 5, the end table roll bearings may be mounted onl the end frames 23 housing the battery of rolls. The supporting bars 25 and the end frames 28 are provided with hollowchambers 30 extending longitudinally along the entire length of the bars 25 and communicating at their ends with recessed portions', such as 3|, in the side frame I4 of the machine (Figure 3). The side frame I4 abuts the ends of the bars 25 andv end frames 28 in tlghtengagement therewith, and the recessed chambers 3I in th side frame are merely wide enough to register with the chambers 30 in the bars 25. A tube or pipe 32 communicates with each recessed portion 3|,l and-thus with each chamber 30 in the supporting bars 25 and end walls 28. .As will be hereinafter described, water or other uld can be flowed through the pipes 32 into the chambers 30. If desired', a single pipe may be i used and the recessed chambers 3| can be connected with this single pipe through a manifold.

The side walls defining the chambers 30 in the bars 25 can be reinforced with a .plurality of v metal cores 33 cast integrally with the side Walls at spaced points therealong. 'I'he side walls dening the chambers 30 in the end frames 28 can likewise be reinforced with metal cores 33. v

The bearing shells 24 shown in Figures 3 and 5 with the table rolls I5 thereon are welded, brazed or otherwise integrally secured to the tops of the supporting bars 25 and end frames 28 above the chambers 30, and contain a plurality of openings or slots 34 in the bottoms thereof so as to provide communication between the chambers 30. and the table rolls. The bearing shells 24 extend above the centers of the table rolls. Water or other fluid can be flowed through the chambers 30 along these slots 34 and into the bearing shells 24 to lubricate the table rolls I5 therein.

As shown in Figure 3, ilexible deckle straps,

such as 35, run over the sides of the arming wire` I0, as is customary in Fourdrinier paper machine constructions to seal the sides of the 2,11 Less A with a reduced shank portion 38 which can be vulcanized or `otherwise secured to thetubes 22.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gear boxes for driving the batteries of table rolls according to this invention can be mounted on angle beams 40 carried by the side framel I4 of the paper machine. The gear box I1 has a main drive gear 4I keyed to a shaft 42 which is coupled with a prime mover, such as the electric motor I9 shownin Figure 1. The shaft 42 is rotatably mounted in bearings shown in elevation at 43 and 44 in Figure 3. Y

'The main drive gear 4I meshes with two exible smaller gears 45 and 46, as shown in Figure" 4..v

The small gears 45 and 46 in turn mesh with superimposedrgears 41-46 and 49`-5IJ; respectively( The' gears 48 and 50 in turn mesh with gears 5I and 52', respectively, which latter gears are in horizontal alignment with the gears 45 and-46. l This gear train is extended throughout the full'lengthof the gear box I1.'

Each gear in the lower row of gears, including gears 45, 46, 5I and 52,-is pinned, by means of a pin 53, to a stub shaft 54 rotatably mounted in the gear box. This lower row of gears serves as a driving means for .the upper row of gears, including gears 41, 48, 49 and 50. Each gear in the upper row of gears is pinned, by means of a pin 55, to a drive shaft 56 rotatably mounted in bushings 51 in the side walls of the gear box I1 and extending through the back wall of the gear box, as shown in Figure 3, for receiving thereover a exible coupling 22 to journal the shaft with a table roll I 5.' 'Ihe gear b ox I8 has the same. structure as the gear box I1 described above. y Y

'I'he gear box ^mechanism, therefore, provides for the driving of a plurality of table rolls at the same speed through intermeshinggearengagement with a single driving gear. AThe gear boxes can be lubricated with grease and operate very smoothly with little wear.l

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the table rolls I5 are .seated in metal bearing shells 24. I Since it is undesirable to have a metal to metal bearing contact between the table rolls and the shells, the table rolls themselves can be made of composition material, such as phenolic resin condensation products, vulcanized rubber, wood, or

the like materials. The composition material does not need to possess the high strength hereto required for table'rolls since the table rolls Y of this invention are supported along the greater part of their lengths by thebearing shells.

'I'he fluid, such as water, introduced' between the bearingshells and table rolls adequately lubricates the bearing surfaces. If desired, the water can be under pressure oroverbalanced to ow out over the tops of the bearing shells and thus prevent any deposit of bers or filler material that might lter through the forming wire from getting caughtbetween the bearing sur'- l faces. `The edges of the bearing shells act as the rolls. This decreases the power required to- -rotate the rolls and also lessens wear of the bearing surfaces.

When the rolls of this invention are rotated at high speeds, they tend to seek their own center of dynamic balance, and I have foundexperimentally that an. air space is actually formed between the bearing shells and the periphery of the rolls since the rolls-will rise in the shells due to the high speed of rotation. The table rolls of this invention have been driven at speeds exceeding 11,000 R. P. M. over prolonged periods of time without even lubricating the bearing surfaces With water or any other lubricant.

It is desirable that the table rolls be constructed of material having a'relatively low specific gravity anda low modulus of elasticity. The vulcanized rubber, wood, and phenolic condensation products mentioned above possess these desired properties.

In Figure 6, there is shown a modified form of table roll structure wherein a metal bearing shell 60 'is Welded or brazed, as at 6I, to the top of thel supporting-bars 25 and has slots or holes 62 communicating with the chambers 30 in the bars 25. 'I'he bearing sleeve 60 can be composed of any suitable bearing metal or alloy, such as brass, bronze, hard steel, for example, a nitrided steel, or the like and, if desired, may be chroy,mium-plated so as to be resistant to corrosion from the chemicals used in the paper pulp.

A table roll 63 has afmetal core 64 with a rubber or phenolic condensation product sleeve 65 vulcanized therearound. 'I'his composite table roll 63 is stronger than a non-metallic roll and at the same time has an outer bearing surface composed of the desired composition product.

In Figure '1, the supporting bar 25 has mounted thereon a bearing sleeve 10 composed of composition material, such as vulcanized rubber, phenolic resin condensation products and the like and receives an al1-metal table roll 1I. The

composition bearing sleeve 10 can be secured .on the supporting bar 25 by vulcanization or by means of any `suitable retaining devices, and is likewise provided with openings 12 in communication with the chamber 3U in the supporting bar 25.

In Figure 8, still another modification is illustrated in which a supporting block or strip is provided'through the block 80 and sleeve 82 in 70 communication with the chambers 30 of the supporting bars' 25.

In Figure 9, stillanother alternative modification is shown wherein a bearing block of wood or composition material extends around the bottom portion of a hollow metal table roll 9| for supporting the same intermediate its ends. 'I'he bearing block only extends up to the center line of the roll 9|. The ends of the table roll, outside of the forming wire area are covered with bearing straps 92 to hold the table roll on the supporting block 90. The straps 92 only extend around the portions of the table roll that are outside of the forming wire area. The supporting block 90 is provided with the usual openings 93 for permitting the passage of water therethrough to lubricate the bearing surfaces. Obvi- 'ously, hollow rolls or tubes, such as 9i, made either. of metal or non-metallic materials can be used in. place of the solid rolls in the bearing `supports described above. l A

From the above description, it should be evident that this invention relates broadly to table roll structures for supporting solid or hollow table rolls along the bottoms thereof intermediate the ends of the rolls. Means are provided for lubricating the bearing surfaces of the rolls and supports and, if desired, the ends of the table rolls outside of the forming wire can be completely encased in bearing members. 'I'he bearing surfaces of the rolls and bearing supports therefor can be formed of any materials capable of being lubricated with uids such as water.

k'I'he invention provides for the use of very small diameter rolls adapted to be rotated at higher speeds than was heretofore possible in conventional table rolls. 'Ihe table rolls of this invention can vary from less than 1 inch in diameter up to 6 inches, although the supporting structure of this invention can obviously be used on larger sized rolls.

e rolls are readily adaptable for mounting in close proximity to each other and can be positively driven through a number of suitable mechanisms or merely by frictional contact with the forming wire.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through ya wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, andA I, therefore, do not purpose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the prior art.

I `laim as my invention:

1. In a Fourdrinier type paper machine having side frames'and a forming wire trained between a breast roll and a couch roll, supporting structure for the top run of the wire between said breast and 4couch rolls comprising a plurality of table rolls extending through a side frame and rotatably supported therein, flexible couplings secured to the ends of said rolls, a gear box having a plurality of drive shafts extending therefrom for receiving said couplings, gears in said gear box for driving said shafts at the same speed, and segmental cylindrical bearings beneath said forming wire for supporting said table A rolls intermediate theends thereof.

side frames and having elongated chambers therein, recessed portions in at least one of said side frames communicating with said chambers, segmental cylindrical housings on top, of said bars in communication with said chambers, table rollsA rotatably seated in said housings for supporting the forming wire, and meansfor introducing water into the recessed portions of the side frame for iiowing through the chambers of said bars to lubricate the table -rol1 housings thereon.

i 3. Table roll structure for Fourdrinier type paper machines including lside frames and a forming wire comprising transverse members carried by said side frames extending therebetween below the forming wire, a plurality of vertical bars supported' from said transverse members extending therebetween in parallel relation thereto, said members and bars having recessed`chambers across the length thereon, segmental cylindrical housings on top of said member and bars in communication with the chambers thereof,

table rolls rotatably supported in said housings for carrying the forming wire, and means for flowing water through said chambers into the housingsv for lubricating the table rolls whereby the reaction of the forming wire on the rolls `may be resisted. f v

synchronize the rotation of the table rolls withl the speedof the forming wire.

5. In a paper making machine having a forming wire, a battery of smalhdiameter table rolls .supporting said wire, a gear box mounted alongside of said paper machine having a plurality of drive shafts extending therefrom, separate flexible couplings for joining each table roll with a separate drive shaft extending from said gear box, and means for rotating said drive shafts at the same rate of speed to drive the table rolls at identical predetermined speeds.

6. Supporting structure for Fourdrinier formin'g wire which comprises side frame members in spaced opposed relation, spaced transverse bars abutting at their ends the inner faces of the frame members, tie rods extending transversely under the bars between the side frame members, fingers on said tie rods extending between the bars to hold the bars in fixed spaced relation from each other, elongated open topped bearing housings on top of said bars and having interior circumferences of more than 180, table rolls loosely journaled in said housings, said bars having longitudinal slots at the tops thereof communicating with the bottoms of the housings, and means supplying liquid to said slots for flowing into the housings to lubricate the rolls.

7. 'Ihe method of supporting a forming wire l.which comprises disposing elongated small diameter vtable rolls beneath the wire, surrounding the underside of each roll with an open topped bearing shell extending more than 180.around the roll,l saidv shells having interior diameters larger than the external diameters of the rolls vto loosely journal the rolls therein and flowing a :fluid into the shells beneath the rolls under suiilcient presure to raise the rolls off of the bottoms of the shells.

` the rolls to loosely journal the rolls therein and flowing a liquid into the shells beneath the rolls under sucient pressure to raise the rolls against the tops'of the shells.

9. 'I'he method of supporting a forming' wire which comprises disposing elongated small diameter table rolls beneath the wire, surrounding the underside of each roll with an open ltopped bearing shell extending` more than 180 around the roll, said shells'havinginterior diameters greater than the external diameters of the rolls and introducing a liquid into the shells at superatmospheric pressures independent of loads carried by the rolls to relieve the pressure between the rolls and the bottoms. of the shellsto any lo desired amount.

EARL E. BERRY. 

